Environmental Protection Agency 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action announces how the EPA proposes to address the reviews of the new source performance standards for volatile organic compound and sulfur dioxide emissions from natural gas processing plants. We are proposing to add to the source category list any oil and gas operation not covered by the current listing. This action also includes proposed amendments to the existing new source performance standards for volatile organic compounds from natural gas processing plants and proposed standards for operations that are not covered by the existing new source performance standards. In addition, this action proposes how the EPA will address the residual risk and technology review conducted for the oil and natural gas production and natural gas transmission and storage national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. This action further proposes standards for emission sources within these two source categories that are not currently addressed, as well as amendments to improve aspects of these national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants related to applicability and implementation. Finally, this action addresses provisions in these new source performance standards and national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants related to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction.

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The SIP revisions pertain to the control of nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from glass melting furnaces. EPA is approving these revisions to reduce NOX emissions from glass melting furnaces in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is disapproving a portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision received from the State of New Mexico on September 17, 2007, for the purpose of addressing the ``good neighbor'' requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards) and the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. In this action, EPA is disapproving the New Mexico Interstate Transport SIP provisions that address the requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) that emissions from New Mexico sources do not interfere with measures required in the SIP of any other state under part C of the CAA to protect visibility. We have found that New Mexico sources, except the San Juan Generating Station, are sufficiently controlled to eliminate interference with the visibility programs of other states. EPA is promulgating a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address this deficiency by implementing nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limits necessary at the San Juan Generating Station (SJGS), to prevent such interference. EPA found in January 2009 that New Mexico had failed to submit a SIP addressing certain regional haze (RH) requirements, including the requirement for best available retrofit technology (BART). The Clean Air Act required EPA to promulgate a FIP to address RH requirements by January 2011. This FIP addresses the RH BART requirement for NOX for SJGS. In addition, EPA is implementing sulfuric acid (H2SO4) hourly emission limits at the SJGS, to minimize the contribution of this compound to visibility impairment. This action is being taken under section 110 and part C of the CAA.

EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Maryland. These SIP revisions pertain to amendments to Maryland's rule for the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from chemical production and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) operations, from paint, resin, and adhesive manufacturing, and from adhesive and sealant application. These SIP revisions also pertain to an addition of a new regulation for the control of VOC emissions from adhesives and sealants. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Regional Administrator of EPA Region 10 is hereby granting a waiver request from the Buy American requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(1). This waiver request is being granted because EPA believes it is in the public interest to allow Mason County, Washington (the County) to utilize and install six specific turbo aeration blower units as part of the County's Belfair Wastewater and Water Reclamation Facilities project. This is a project specific waiver and only applies to the use of the specified product for the ARRA project being proposed. Any other ARRA recipient that wishes to use the same product must apply for a separate waiver based on project specific circumstances. The Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system was selected and procured by the County in 2008 using non-ARRA funding and prior to enactment of ARRA. However, since the MBR equipment is being installed by an ARRA funded contract, the new Buy American requirements of ARRA apply. As ARRA was enacted after the County's procurement actions, the County could not be aware of the need to purchase and install a Buy American compliant MBR system and could not reasonably foresee the need for a waiver. Requiring the installation of domestically manufactured turbo aeration blower units will extend the time frame of the project significantly (by at least four months), due to the redesign, procurement, submittal delivery, submittal review, fabrication, delivery, and replacement of the aeration blower installation at the construction site. Redesign, reconstruction, and replacement of the blowers will likely cost at least an additional $620,000 and could also void the three year manufacturer warranty for the MBR that is valid only if system components identified in the manufacturer's proposal are utilized. A significant delay in the project schedule could push the project past the anticipated September 2011 project completion into the fall rainy season, and could cause runoff over areas of failing septic systems and pose a risk to environmental and water quality protection. This additional cost and delay is inconsistent with the public interest, and a waiver of the Buy American provisions in these circumstances is justified. This action allows the installation of the six specified turbo aeration blower units that have already been delivered to the construction site as noted in Mason County's May 27, 2011, request and additional follow up documentation.

EPA is approving, as part of Ohio's State Implementation Plan (SIP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA), a revised rule 3745-21-07, ``Control of emissions of organic materials from stationary sources (i.e., emissions that are not regulated by rule 3745-21-09, 3745-21-12, 3745-21-13, 3745-21-14, 3745-21-15, 3745-21-16, or 3745-21-18 of the Administrative Code).'' This rule has been revised because the prior version of 3745-21-07, in Ohio's SIP, has inadequate compliance test methods and definitions. On February 8, 2008, the previously existing rule 3745-21-07, which was part of Ohio's SIP, was rescinded by Ohio EPA. The most significant problem with the prior version is the definition of ``photochemically reactive material,'' which is different than the definition of ``volatile organic compounds'' (VOC), upon which EPA's reasonably available control technology (RACT) regulations are based. The revised rule is approvable because it satisfies the applicable requirements for VOC sources under the CAA. EPA proposed this rule for approval on April 13, 2011, and received no comments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region II is issuing a Notice of Intent to Delete the Barceloneta Landfill Superfund Site (Site) located in Florida Afuera, Puerto Rico from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, through the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, other than operation, maintenance, and five-year reviews, have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the CASAC Lead Review Panel to discuss its draft letter reviewing EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (First External Review DraftMay 2011).

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland (Maryland). This SIP revision includes amendments to the Code of Maryland (COMAR) 26.11.19.13, Volatile Organic Compounds from Specific Processes, Drum and Pail Coating. Maryland's SIP revision meets the requirement to adopt Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for sources covered by EPA's Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) for Miscellaneous Metal and Plastic Parts Coatings and will help Maryland attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``CAA'' or the ``Act''), 42 U.S.C. 7413(g), notice is hereby given of a proposed consent decree to address a lawsuit filed by Sierra Club in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia: Sierra Club v. Jackson, No. 1:10-cv-02112-JEB (D. DC). Plaintiffs filed a complaint alleging that EPA failed to take timely action to approve or disapprove, approve in part, or disapprove in part an Arkansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision addressing regional haze dated July 29, 2008 (Arkansas Regional Haze SIP), as required by sections 110(k)(2) and (3) of the CAA. The proposed consent decree establishes a deadline of December 15, 2011 for EPA to take action on the Arkansas Regional Haze SIP.

EPA is finalizing approval of revisions to the SCAQMD portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions were proposed in the Federal Register on October 5, 2010 and concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from architectural coatings. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of thiamethoxam in or on peanut; peanut, hay; peanut, meal; alfalfa, forage; alfalfa, hay; and in food/feed commodities in food/feed handling establishments. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

This notice announces receipt of applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended. EPA is publishing this notice of such applications, pursuant to section 3(c)(4) of FIFRA.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces two teleconferences of the SAB Augmented Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC) to discuss the draft advisory report related to uranium and thorium in-situ leach recovery and post-closure stability monitoring.

EPA, Region 2, is publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Sayreville Landfill Superfund Site (Site), located in the Borough of Sayreville, Middlesex County, New Jersey, from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final Notice of Deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the State of New Jersey, through the Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). EPA and NJDEP have determined that all appropriate remedial actions under CERCLA, other than operation, maintenance and five-year reviews, have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that the following Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Lead-Based Paint Pre- Renovation Information DisseminationTSCA Sec. 406(b); EPA ICR No. 1669.06, OMB No. 2070-0158. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden and costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 is publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Pasley Solvents & Chemicals, Inc Superfund Site (Site), located in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the State of New York, through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), because EPA has determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

EPA is taking direct final action on corrections to the Protocol Gas Verification Program and Minimum Competency Requirements for Air Emission Testing final rule, which was published in the Federal Register of March 28, 2011 (76 FR 17288). The final rule also made a number of other changes to the regulations. After the final rule was published, it was brought to our attention that there are some incorrect and incomplete statements in the preamble, some potentially confusing statements in a paragraph of the rule text, and the title of Appendix D to Part 75 was inadvertently changed and is incorrect.

EPA is proposing to approve the revision to the State Implementation Plan submitted by the State of New Jersey on July 28, 2009, and supplemented on December 9, 2010, and March 2, 2011, that addresses regional haze for the first planning period from 2008 through 2018. This revision addresses the requirements of the Clean Air Act and EPA's rules that require states to prevent any future, and remedy any existing, anthropogenic impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the ``regional haze program''). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. This plan protects and improves visibility levels in New Jersey's Class I area, the Brigantine Wilderness Area of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, as well as other Class I areas in the Northeast United States. New Jersey's SIP is in two parts: Reasonable Progress and application of Best Available Retrofit Control Technology. EPA is proposing to approve the Reasonable Progress portion of the plan, since New Jersey has adopted all of the reasonably available measures recommended by the states during the development of the SIP. EPA is proposing approval of New Jersey's plans to implement Best Available Retrofit Technologies on eligible sources, as well New Jersey's Subchapter 9, Sulfur in Fuels.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending its regulations to reflect a change in address for EPA's Region 1 office. This action is editorial in nature and is intended to provide accuracy and clarity to the agency's regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 is publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the International Smelting and Refining Superfund Site (Site), located in Tooele, Utah, from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the state of Utah, through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) because EPA has determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, other than operation, maintenance, and five-year reviews, have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of July 27, 2011, concerning cancellation of pesticides for non-payment of year 2011 registration maintenance fees. This document is being issued to correct Table 2 of the cancellation notice by removing five entries which were inadvertently included.